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2023 North Dakota State Fair 4-H Beef Showmanship Class [Photo: submitted]
The summer months seem to have gotten away from me, and time just seems to flash by! Ask any extension agent in the state which months are some of the busiest, and they will tell you June and July. Those are the busy months of county fairs, 4-H Achievement Days, and the North Dakota State Fair. I also had the privilege to attend a national conference for the National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA) in Des Moines, IA. To say the least, my summer arrived and ended faster than I knew it. School is back in session here in Sheridan County, and the new 4-H year is just around the corner. As the Extension County ANR agent, I am already busy planning programming for the upcoming year.
Many of you may have attended the North Dakota State Fair this year or in past years. Have you taken the time to look at all the 4-H static exhibits or 4-H livestock exhibits? If you haven’t, I highly recommend you do in the future! 4-H exhibitors all across North Dakota work diligently on their exhibits during the 4-H year, and that hard work is showcased in the Magic Place of the North Dakota State Fair Center.
Have you ever noticed the variety of horticulture plants, crop sheaves, paintings, photography photos, quilts, woodworking, welding, or other interesting projects in the Magic Place at the state fair? Those projects are all static exhibits brought to compete at the North Dakota State Fair. Static exhibits, which are non-living items or displays related to a project area in which the youth were enrolled in, must receive a blue ribbon at the county level to be promoted onto the state fair.
A blue-ribbon is awarded to entries that exceed or meet the average standard. The exhibit or workmanship may have one minor fault with little improvements needed. Keep in mind that “excellent” does not mean “perfect.” Static exhibits are promoted from the county level and compete against everyone in 4-H in the state of North Dakota at the state fair. Exhibits are judged and then put on display during the week for anyone to view.
Have you ever wondered what the ribbon color means on those exhibits displayed? Exhibits are evaluated using the Danish ribbon system: Grand champion (purple) is superior; Reserve champion (lavender) is above average or second place; Award of Excellence (orange) is above average but just below standards for lavender; blue is excellent; red is good; and white is fair.
What else might you find from a 4-H exhibitor at the North Dakota State Fair? Livestock, not just a cow or pig, but a wide variety of species including, but not limited to: beef cattle, dairy cattle, horses, rabbits, poultry, sheep, goats, and swine. These species of animals are all broken into breed classes while they compete for their certain age and breed area as an animal, along with the 4-H exhibitor showcasing their skills and poise in the showmanship classes.
You may ask what is showmanship? Showmanship is evaluated on the skill or ability of a showman’s (4-H member) handling, presentation, and showing of the animal to the best of a person’s ability. The grand and reserve champions in each animal species showmanship class then advances onto to the round robin competition at the state fair. The round robin showmanship contests give an opportunity for the champion showmen in each large animal species to compete head-to-head for the best all-around showman honors at the fair.
Animal species that are part of the round robin contest include: beef, dairy, goat, sheep, and swine. The 4-H Horse Show is Monday through Wednesday of the fair, where you can watch western riding, English riding, or timed-events. The 4-H swine, dairy, rabbit, and dairy goat shows can be watched on Wednesday. The 4-H beef show is held on Thursday; meat goat show is on Friday; and the 4-H round robin showmanship contest is the last Saturday of the fair.
There are many other events, activities, and contests for 4-H that go on during the state fair. Clothing Revue and Project Expo contests are usually Monday. Clothing Revue is an event to display project work by 4-H youth in the sewing and textiles division. Youth build self-confidence and poise, and make and model a garment that is needed in a wardrobe. Project Expo is a contest where a 4-H member selects, researches a topic or project directly related to a 4-H project in which they are enrolled in, and then prepares an exhibit for display.
Sydney Crimmins displays her Sewing & Textiles, latch hook project that she received an Award of Excellence ribbon at the NDSF. [Photo: submitted]
The 4-H Engineering and Design contest is the first Saturday of the fair; Communication Arts is the first Sunday; and the Consumer Decision Making contest on Tuesday. The goal of the 4-H Engineering and Design contest is to encourage critical thinking, creativity, innovation, and problem solving in a non-traditional learning event and to have FUN in the process. Youth will use their STEM knowledge and skills to solve problems, make a plan, and design a solution. The State 4-H Communication Arts contest provides youth with opportunities to build skills and confidence in making public presentations. 4-H members who win their respective District Communication Arts contest then advance to the North Dakota State Fair. The 4-H Consumer Decision Making contest teaches youth how to make decisions based on information that they have learned and studied and on facts that they collected. It can also help them learn to defend your decisions.
We have some amazing youth in our state that work hard all year to be able to showcase their skills, abilities, and final projects to the public. The North Dakota State Fair is more than just the carnival rides, fair food, and concerts. So, the next time you have a chance to attend and take in the North Dakota State Fair, be sure to check out those 4-H exhibits, projects, shows, and contests! Support our 4-H youth, the young people who are developing new skills, becoming leaders, serving their community, and acquiring responsibility and self-worth.
National 4-H Week is coming up, October 1-7, 2023. This year’s national theme is Opportunity 4 All. I hope to encourage, celebrate, and create opportunities that will enhance all young people and invite all youth into the 4-H program.
Sarah Crimmins is originally from Northwestern Montana where she grew up with cattle and horses. Competing at her county 4-H Horse Shows and competing at Montana High School Rodeos led her to compete at the collegiate level for the Montana State Bobcats Rodeo Team. She moved to North Dakota after graduation and met her husband, Eric. They have two daughters and call McClusky, ND home, where she is the Sheridan County NDSU Extension Agent.